SwiftKey Flow brings trace input to leading Android keyboard

SwiftKey has announced a brand new version of its popular keyboard app for Android, dubbed SwiftKey Flow. Launching "soon," SwiftKey Flow will bring continuous input -- similar to what's found in Swype and others -- to SwiftKey, while retaining the personalized prediction tech for which it's is best known.

An evolution of the intelligent prediction software used in SwiftKey 3 powers the flow-based input, meaning it's sensitive to context, as well as individual typing styles. SwiftKey Flow will also allow users to switch between the two input modes on the fly depending on their preference, or how many hands they have free.

Android Central had the chance to demo SwiftKey Flow recently, and we were impressed with the speed and accuracy of its new trace input features. We noticed that the keyboard analyzes the pattern your finger takes in real time, rather than waiting until the pattern is complete, allowing predictions to be built up on the fly. Overall, it's an incredibly speedy typing experience.

The SwiftKey Flow beta test will begin "within weeks" for those registered on SwiftKey's VIP community site, ahead of an eventual launch on Google Play.

Check out the demo video above. We've got today's full press release after the break.

With Amazon having recently announced the sale of the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD tablets in Japan, they're complimenting their launch by updating the Kindle for Android app. The new version now supports manga books, as well as right-to-left vertical text. Those aren't the only changes within the app though, as noted in the change log --

Improved support for Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and the Nexus 7 tablet.

Send PDF, DOC, DOCX, and image files to your Kindle using the share buttons in popular Android apps like Adobe Reader, Documents to Go, ES File Explorer, and many others.

Several bug fixes.

If you frequent using the Kindle for Android app, you'll find the update available now in the Google Play Store.

Flipboard update welcomes audio into your newsfeeds

Flipboard has now released the latest update to their Android app. Sitting at v1.9.7, this release brings audio into the fold for those of you out there who like to listen while reading. The content itself is broken into sections that offers news, sports, books and more.

Plus, if music is your thing, there is integration with Sound Cloud added that allows you to discover, like and share music from your friends. In addition that, Flipboard has also addressed some unnoted various bugs in the app and worked on various performance enhancements.

Sector Strike brings free, classic arcade space shooting to Android

The guys behind the venerable Tank Hero game have launched their next title on Android called Sector Strike. It's a free-to-play sci-fi shoot 'em up with all of trappings of classic 2D spaceship games. You move your ship around to evade enemies while holding the trigger down on your guns and picking up credits from their wrecks to spend on upgrades. Players gradually work their way through new sectors, provided they survive the withering hail of plasma fire from a wide range of crafty foes.

I've played a little bit on my Nexus 7 and the graphics are buttery smooth, the gameplay is challenging, and the controls are very responsive. Yeah, they offer in-app purchases for accelerated progress, but it doesn't feel like there's anything you can't get just by playing the game a whole bunch. As far as casual, old-school pew-pewin' on Android goes, Sector Strike is looking very promising. Check it out.

Need for Speed Most Wanted to be released on October 30 on Android and Kindle Fire

We already know that EA's latest premium title, Need For Speed Most Wanted, is to be released this month. We just don't know when or for how much. October is quickly passing us by, so good news then that it seems EA is sticking to their word. On their official website, the title is listed as being available for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire on October 30. Still no mention of a price, but given the trailer, we're expecting a premium price for this premium title.

Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 to see Jelly Bean from October 25?

Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 owners might want to take a look at this one. Android Central Forums member Skunkape60 shared this image with us all a little earlier today that, if genuine, indicates the Android 4.1 update to the Galaxy S3 will start pushing out from October 25. That's tomorrow then. We've got a build number, a reminder to the stores to update their own devices, pretty much everything.

It also looks like the Sprint update will bring some LTE related improvements too. It does say that it will be rolling out over the course of a few weeks, so be patient. But, from tomorrow, start checking for those updates.

Supposed first Jelly Bean build for Samsung Galaxy Note leaks out

Excitement continues to build around the world for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 -- we're in NYC tonight for the Next Big Thing event -- but what of its predecessor? Owners of the original Galaxy Note are eagerly awaiting word on Jelly Bean for their beloved devices.

XDA Developers forums member eybee1970 has posted what is apparently the first full leaked official build of Android 4.1 for the original Note. However, this is an extremely early build, and flashing to your own devices is discouraged. Contained within are things we would expect to see from Jelly Bean -- Google Now for instance -- but there are things missing, and big nasty bugs within making this one not for the faint at heart.

Word is, that the official update could be due to drop in December. A software update in early September brought a selection of the Samsung features from the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 to the Note, but we're under no illusions that it's Jelly Bean you folks want.

Atari bringing Rollercoaster Tycoon and Dungeons & Dragons to Android

Retro gaming fans listen up, this one's for you. Atari has announced a range of titles heading our way, which includes Rollercoaster Tycoon and Dungeons & Dragons: Warbands. Both are slated to be available in early 2013.

Many an hour was wastes building the theme park rides of our dreams in the 90's desktop classic, and we're going out on a limb and saying the same will apply when the mobile version lands. D&D: Warbands is a virtual recreation of a game usually played with collectable figurines, but is sure to be a hit based on the insane popularity of the D&D universe.

We're spoiled with some fantastic looking mobile games these days, take the likes of Horn or the Bards Tale as examples, but there's an awful lot to be said for these re-releases of some of our favorite games from years past. Nostalgia is a good feeling.

Memoto camera to record life with two pictures every minute, shared through Android app

It looks like the next big thing has hit Kickstarter, and it's called Memoto. This tiny little 5 megapixel camera clips to your clothes, automatically takes pictures, geotags them, and once plugged into your computer over microUSB, uploads to the cloud for storage (provided you have a subscription plan with Memoto). There isn't a single button on the camera because it automatically starts shooting as soon as you start wearing it.

The picture quality isn't particularly great, but Memoto is aiming for sheer volume. We're talking two per minute for two days straight on a single charge. Luckily, the Android and web app will help organize everything into batches of shots and splice the moments into time-lapse videos. Sharing can be open or private, with selective visibility.

Sprint releases push-to-talk app for Android

Sprint has launched an Android app to allow push-to-talk on some phones. The Kyocera Rise budget phone will support it, as will the upcoming LG Optimus Elite, it said.

Push-to-talk is a transmission method that turns your phone into a walkie-talkie, of sorts. The type that only allows communication one-way at a time, so like an air traffic controller, you’ll have to say “over” after each sentence, and of course “over and out” when your conversation is done.

For cell users, push-to-talk cellular is supposed to give people a way to quickly broadcast a message to receiving handsets. If multiple handsets are hooked up, a team leader can speak to all of them without ringing each one up individually.

Some apps already emulate this function, like HeyTell and Zello, but the Sprint app uses the carrier’s Direct Connect push-to-talk service. Sprint says it has a million users on Direct Connect already (most on rugged handsets), and hopes the app will allow it to tap into a new user-base.

Sprint customers can hit the Google Play link above to download the app.

Square mobile payment service comes to Canada

Square's mobile point of purchase system has expanded beyond the U.S. into Canada today, marking their first step into international markets. Though Square didn't advertise any particular launch partners up north, they do have free headphone jack fobs available for small businesses to start accepting credit card payments on whatever Android devices they happen to be using. Transaction fees are 2.75% per MasterCard or Visa swipe, which is apparently pretty competitive.

Unfortunately, Square Wallet isn't available to Canada just yet, but will be arriving in 2013. The app will enable users to pay for goods, use loyalty cards, get receipts, and leave reviews for businesses. Although Square tends to be lumped in with iOS, their Android app has been available for a couple of years now. I'm interested in seeing if Square hops on the NFC bandwagon at some point, but for the time being, I'm sure they do reasonably well just dealing with Visa and Mastercard. It would be great to see some Interac support eventually, too.

Hey Americans, how often do you see Square in use in businesses? Should we feel screwed that Square Wallet isn't available right out of the gate? Keep in mind that we still don't have Google Wallet up here, or even anything like Isis, so this may be the best thing we can get for mobile payments for the immediate future. Any Canadian business owners interested in giving this a shot? You can sign up over here.

Samsung TecTile app bumped to version 3.0

Samsung has updated its TecTile app to add more features like batch actions and the ability to set tags to private.

The mobile app is meant to program Samsung TecTile NFC hardware tags that can be used to automate tasks. Users can tap their phones on tags to perform common tasks. You can launch a running app and the music app before a workout, for example, or tap one by the bedside to mute the ringer and launch the alarm clock app.

The TecTile tags were first released in June, together with the launch of the S3 to show off its NFC capabilities. The version 3 update accompanies the entrance of the Galaxy Note 2 on U.S. shores, and brings a number of new features.

Nuance launches Siri-esque Dragon Mobile Assistant

Today Nuance kicked off the beta for a new app called Dragon Mobile Assistant. It lets users talk to their phones in a natural human voice for a variety of tasks, including booking calendar appointments, dictating messages, updating Facebook and Twitter, getting GPS directions, finding businesses, and checking the weather. It even has an S-voice style audio wake-up command so you don't have to press a button to initiate a query. Sure, Personal Assistant has a lot in common with Dragon Go, but this is packaged in a way to more directly offer an Android version of Siri.

Nuance is in a good spot for launching a voice activated personal assistant given its pedigree (especially now that they've acquired Vlingo), but it's hardly the only show in town. A small start-up called Maluuba has a very sharp-looking app that focuses on specific silos of content. Of course Samsung's S-voice is an option on pretty much all of their newer phones, plus the latest version of voice search built into Jelly Bean can handle a lot. There's Evi, though it wasn't particularly great the last time we used it.

Dragon Personal Assistant is free, but it's only available in English in the U.S. for devices running Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0. They're expecting to launch more broadly before the end of the year, at least. Which voice-activated personal assistant do you use on Android? Are there any that are fast enough to be more practical than just typing in a query or manually navigating to something on your device? How do you think these options stack up against what's available on iOS?

Beach Buggy Blitz updated, sheds Tegra exclusivity in the process

Vector Unit, developers of such titles as Riptide GP and Shine Runner really outdid themselves with their latest title Beach Buggy Blitz. A completely free, yet completely amazing game, the only downside was that you needed a Tegra device to play it. Well, everyone else now has cause to celebrate. The latest update to Beach Buggy Blitz brings it to non-Tegra devices.

Compatible with "most modern Android devices," you'll still need to try it for yourselves to be sure. But, since it's free, that's not too much of a hassle.

For those of you who've been playing Beach Buggy Blitz for a while, there's some additional treats on board. As we approach Halloween, we get 2 new characters and a special, Grim Rod, car available too. There's also a coin doubler added to the in game purchases, along with a smattering of performance and bug fixes.

Foursquare app updated with new check-in UI

The Foursquare app has been improved quite a bit in the last few months, moving to a new, cleaner UI that got rid of some of the confusion. Today it is receiving another small update to improve one aspect of the app, the check-in screen. The update gives the check-in area a cleaner UI, with a simple set of toggles next to the text box to manage sharing (now how about Google+ sharing?) and a single button to mention any Foursquare friends that you're with.

If there's one area of the Foursquare app to get right, this is it. You can grab the Foursquare app from the Google Play Store link above.